Cougars downed 7-1

It was a night of retribution for the SAIT Trojans men’s hockey team, as they rebounded from an 8-4 loss on Friday, downing the Cougars 7-1 on Saturday night at Flames Community Arenas.

Matt Stefanishion had a goal and two assists for the visitors, as the Trojans special teams carried the offense, converting on 4 of 11 opportunities to hand the Cougars their first loss of the season.

Stefanishion opened the scoring at 12:55 of the first, taking a pass in the slot from Clinton Pettapiece and roofing it backhand over the glove of Justin Cote to make it 1-0 Trojans.

Craig Eisenhut and Travis Bradshaw would add markers 2:24 apart, as the Trojans would find the back of the net three times in a 3:32 span to open a three goal lead.

The Cougars would find some life on the powerplay, with Stefanishion in the box for interference, as Jason MacDonald would strip Trojans defensemen Joel Woznikoski deep in the Trojan zone and rifle a shot past rookie netminder Andy Williams, adding his fifth of the year to make it 3-1 headed into the first intermission.

The Trojans would continue to make the Cougars pay in the second period on the man advantage, as Sam Mitchell would find his fourth of the season on five-on-five play, before Robert Nocera would score on the powerplay two minutes ten seconds later making the score 5-1.

The third period was a penalty marred affair, as 10 minor penalties were doled out between the two teams, as well as variety of unsportsmanlike, 10 minute and game misconducts.

The Trojans would add a trio of powerplay tallies in the period, all but ending the night for the Cougars as they dropped their first game of the season 7-1. With the win, the Trojans sit just three points back of the Cougars for first place in the ACAC with a game in hand still to be played.

Cougars captain Darnell Glass offered his thoughts on Saturday’s performance.

“You never want to lose at home like that,” said Glass. “I thought we came out fine, we had some chances early and they scored a couple. We got in some penalty trouble and made a few mistakes in our own zone and that kind of put us behind the eight ball, playing catch up all night. You know, they are a good hockey team, after beating them in their barn last night, we knew they wouldn’t let up easy, we’ve got to keep disciplined because you can’t give a good team like that, that many chances.”

Andy Williams made 24 saves in goal for the Trojans, while Justin Cote was in net for the losing cause making 14 saves on 21 shots.

The Cougars will look to rebound in their final two games of the first half of the season, as they head down to Caronport, Saskatchewan for a two game set with the Briercrest Clippers.

Despite the loss, Glass says the team is focused on the future.

“You’ve got to learn from this one and reset and know we are still in first place and have a chance to close out the first half with a great record. Briercrest isn’t a team to take lightly, they play really well at home, and we’ve played some tough games there. We’ve just got to get back to having fun, have a good week at practice and close out this first half.”

The Cougars won’t return to home ice until the 2012, when they take on the Grant MacEwan Griffins on Friday, January 13.